By Our Reporter
Worth Noting:
-
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. In Nyeri County, home of explosive Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, six candidates appeared on the list.
- These include national chairman of Chama Cha Kazi Martin Wachira Keen, businessman Daniel Wamahiu, NewFortis Sacco chairman John Githinji, former Starehe MP Charles Njagua Kanyi, University lecturer Rose M. Ndegwa Githu and Cate Waruguru.
- In Murang’a County, former Water Principal Secretary Joseph Wairagu who contested the gubernatorial seat on Democratic Party of Kenya ticket is among those who were lucky to get to the shortlist.
- In Embu, former Manyatta MP John Muchiri and Muriithi Chomba are among those eying the positions.
- From Meru, former Buuri MP Boniface Kinoti Gatobu and Prof. Elijah Gitonga are also salvating for the same position.
The shortlisting of 224 candidates for the lucrative Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) positions has elicited intense lobbying, jostling and frustrations to various political players.
In the 10 counties of the Mt Kenya region, 52 were shortlisted, among them former Members of Parliament, businessmen and political activists.
Former Kirinyaga County Women Representative Wangui Ngirichi and her Laikipia counterpart Cate Waruguru stands high chances due to their political prowess and gender card.
In Nyeri County, home of explosive Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, six candidates appeared on the list.
These include national chairman of Chama Cha Kazi Martin Wachira Keen, businessman Daniel Wamahiu, NewFortis Sacco chairman John Githinji, former Starehe MP Charles Njagua Kanyi, University lecturer Rose M. Ndegwa Githu and Cate Waruguru.
It is worth noting that Njagua and Waruguru are only associated with the county by birth but have had their political bases in Nairobi and Laikipia respectively.
Both Keen and Wamahiu are closely associated with the Deputy President having been buddies to his late brother and Nyeri first governor Nderitu Gachagua.
Indeed, Keen was Gachagua’s first choice of running mate but was grabbed
by the then TNA presidential candidate and eventual Head of State Uhuru Kenyatta to his party.
His exit from Gachagua’s GNU earned him a plum parastatal appointment where he headed Athi Water Authority.
Prior to entry into national politics, Keen was the chairman of the defunct Nyeri County Council. During the last General Election, he contested the Kieni parliamentary seat under the CS Moses Kuria’s party.
Though Wamahiu contested for the Senatorial seat in 2017, he has never won any political seat, having shied off contesting in the last General Election.
However, his leadership acumen has been demonstrated in various fora, the most notable one being the transformation he oversaw at Nyeri Golf Club when he was the chairman.
He has also been credited for competing with international construction firms in rehabilitation of roads.
John Githinji, a career teacher will be banking on among other things, his superb leadership at the Newfortis Sacco which is one of the best performing financial institutions in its calibre across the country.
Ms Ndegwa is not known in the area but this publication was informed that she hails from Mukurwe-ini constituency and is a lecturer in a Meru University.
It will be a case of wait and see on who among the six will be nominated to the position which is considered as the fourth senior most person in the cabinet.
Media strategist Dennis Itumbi is among the five candidates from Kirinyaga County who were shortlisted.
In Murang’a County, former Water Principal Secretary Joseph Wairagu who contested the gubernatorial seat on Democratic Party of Kenya ticket is among those who were lucky to get to the shortlist.
In Embu, former Manyatta MP John Muchiri and Muriithi Chomba are among those eying the positions.
From Meru, former Buuri MP Boniface Kinoti Gatobu and Prof. Elijah Gitonga are also salvating for the same position.
In Tharaka Nithi county, former Fisheries Principal Secretary Prof. Micheni Ntiba is leading four others from the area who have set their eyes on being CAS.
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